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Todd Pletcher, one win away from 5,000 as a trainer, could achieve the milestone during the two days of the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland if he doesn't do it sooner at another track.
The 53YO has the favorite in the first race Nov. 5 at Gulfstream Park West, where William Ziemba and Elyse Mach's Seize the Hay races in a maiden claimer, and he runs seven horses at Keeneland Nov. 6. Three of those Mutasaabeq, Union Gables, and Likeable are in Breeders' Cup races. Also that day, he entered a pair of horses at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Pletcher, speaking this week with a pool reporter from the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, said it would be "kinda cool" if the milestone victory came on the Breeders' Cup stage. Only seven trainers have reached 5,000 wins in North America.
Both of his Breeders' Cup runners Saturday are in top form, including Valiance, who has local experience. Last month she won the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes over the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Distaff on the Keeneland main track. The Tapit filly races for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Martin Schwartz, and China Horse Club.